To avoid being influenced by the news or other people. I had never heard of the defendant, but a lot of people who had appeared for jury selection had. I was seated in the the back so I was sure I wouldn’t be chosen for the jury, but I was wrong. One by one most of the people talked to the judge and left. Apparently they were prejudiced about the fellow and couldn’t be impartial.
So when we were sequestered we couldn’t watch the news or talk to one another or our families (via telephone) about the case. I was only an alternate juror, so when it was time for the jurors to deliberate the morning of the sixth day, I was free to go home. I was curious to see what they decided, but it was easy to find out. I just watched the local news that evening. They announced the defendant was found guilty of selling food stamps and interviewed him. What did he plan to do? Appeal the verdict. That must be expensive, how would he pay for it? Probably sell more food stamps. I still remember laughing when I heard that.
December 13, 2024
I know of a few people locally who used to buy food stamps from people they knew. Yes, I imagine the person probably did have to sell more food stamps to pay for their appeal.. Crazy.
It probably wasn’t the wisest thing to say if he was going to appeal the verdict and claim that he was innocent, though. 🙂
Wishing you a Blessed Christmas.
God bless.
Thank you. 🙂
…people do what they do to survive. That’s what Trump does every day and it’s not a crime. Or is it?
This fellow was a well-known wheeler and dealer as I understand it. It was more than mere survival.
How could someone get enough food stamps to sell for enough money to justify the cost of putting a person on trial for doing it? Trials aren’t cheap. I know some of the insurance fraud cases are like that…it costs more for the companies to get the proof and file charges that someone is cheating than to actually pay the person benefits who is faking an injury. Not right and they do need to make an example of out of some cases to prevent more but, food stamps?
I’m not sure exactly how he did it, but presumably a lot of money was involved. Fraud is always a problem.
I would not like to be sequestered, and some have to for weeks or months. like a long trial. and heaven help me if they put a gag order on me. ha ha
😀
That is funny!! So you never had to actually judge a case?
I was the on the jury for one in Albuquerque. That was back in the day when smokers came first. I’m sensitive to cigarette smoke and mostly I remember being cooped up in a smoke-filled room, hoping it would be decided quickly.
Thanks for letting us know what, exactly, being “sequestered” entails. I never heard of selling food stamps until recently. What a world!
Yes, fraud is always a problem when a lot of money is involved.
HA! I was only called for jury duty once, they didn’t like my answers either.
😉
I am glad I no longer have to serve on juries..
Same here. 🙂
Interesting
🙂